Patent CA-2289982-A1 (CA)
Inventor: PABLO GERARDO
IPC: G08B5/00
Filed: 1999-11-15
Abstract: In all seasons, weather, ranges of temperature and in day and nighttime, people of all genders and ages enjoy spending time outdoors. either alone or in groups, and in a variety of different environments. The reasons for spending this time outdoors and for the selection of a particular environment (or environments) are the types of activities, such as "hanging out" and chatting with friends old and new, playing appropriate "street" or outdoor games, or sports, watching parades, strolling, window-shopping, walking, jogging or bicycling for fun and/or exercise. Depending on the weather, on the activities chosen, and the general location (ie: a city, town or a rural area), specific environments may include streets, sidewalks, public parks and recreation areas, beaches, walkways, playgrounds, hiking trails and other similar public areas.   Persons enjoying themselves in these activities are likely to meet and co-mingle with other individuals pursuing the same kinds of recreation, and also inevitably at times with vehicular traffic. In low or no-light conditions, an important step towards preventing accidents between persons and vehicles is for both parties to quickly and easily discern and safely avoid each other.   For pedestrian and other non-vehicle persons this is not a problem because all vehicles using the road after a certain time each day are required by law to use appropriate lights and turning signals on their fronts and backs. For vehicle drivers, however, there is a serious safety hazard, as pedestrians and other persons walking, jogging, skateboarding, in-line skating (and also bicycling, in certain jurisdictions) are not required to carry or display personal lights or lighting systems as aids to their visibility by others. Where broad sidewalks exist on both sides of a road, the threat of accidents between non-vehicular persons and moving vehicles is dramatically reduced. But where non-vehicular persons frequently cross the roadway, or where minimal or no sidewalks exist, the risk of injury or death to non-vehicular persons as a result of being struck by a moving vehicle, is greatly exacerbated.   Although local police forces and safety organizations promote the use of light-coloured clothing by pedestrians and other non-vehicle users for moving about more safely in low or no-light conditions, it is a fact that most do not heed this basic safety advice. Also, the current choices of portable, personal, battery-powered light-emitting devices are not appropriate for use as visibility aids by persons involved in street: sports or outdoor exercise activities after sunset.   This invention is a lightweight, rugged, pre-formed luminous band worn on the arms, wrists and/or legs. It allows the wearer to be easily, predictably and safely visible to others in low and no-light conditions indoors and outdoors with complete ease and without the use, expense, inconvenience, weight and fragility of conventional portable battery-powered lighting systems, and without the need for frequent re-exposure to re-energizing sources to reactivate the luminous qualities of the band.